Financial Accountant

Job Purpose

• The Financial Accountant supports the integrity of the Group's financial reporting process, helping to ensure accurate accounting records, reconciliations, tax and statutory compliance, and monthly reporting across multiple entities.
• Working closely with the Senior Finance Manager and alongside the creditors and debtors teams, this role will assist with the preparation of the management accounts and annual financial statements, providing reliable financial information that supports sound commercial decision-making.
• Full training on the business and its systems will be given, and responsibility will increase as the successful candidate develops.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting

• Assist with the preparation of accurate monthly management accounts and supporting schedules across local and international entities.
• Prepare month-end journals, accruals, prepayments and supporting working papers.
• Perform variance analysis and investigate significant movements.
• Ensure adherence to monthly reporting deadlines and the finance calendar.
• Assist with group reporting and financial consolidations.

Balance Sheet & General Ledger Management

• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations across the Group's entities.
• Investigate and resolve reconciling items timeously.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and supporting schedules.
• Reconcile intercompany balances and transactions.

Tax & Statutory Compliance

• Prepare VAT returns and supporting reconciliations.
• Assist with provisional tax calculations and corporate income tax computations and submissions.
• Assist with current and deferred tax workings for the management accounts and annual financial statements.
• Assist with transfer pricing schedules and supporting documentation.
• Assist with correspondence and queries from SARS and other revenue authorities.
• Support statutory reporting and ensure compliance with applicable legislation.

Fixed Assets & Inventory

• Assist with maintaining the fixed asset register and depreciation schedules.
• Assist with IFRS 16 lease accounting schedules.
• Prepare inventory reconciliations, including goods in transit and landed cost reconciliations.
• Ensure inventory accounting is accurate and complies with company policies.

Audit & Financial Statements

• Assist with the preparation of annual financial statements.
• Prepare audit files and supporting documentation.
• Liaise with external auditors and respond to audit queries within agreed timelines.

Financial Analysis, Systems & Collaboration

• Analyse financial information to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Use ERP systems and reporting tools to validate financial information and improve reporting.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, controls and reporting efficiencies.
• Work closely with Finance, Operations, Supply Chain and Commercial teams to ensure financial accuracy.
• Support the Senior Finance Manager with day-to-day tasks, ad hoc financial analysis and projects.
• The scope of the role will be shaped around the strengths of the successful candidate and the needs of the Group, with room to take on more responsibility over time.

Key Competencies

• Sound accounting and tax knowledge, with the willingness to keep building on it.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong organisational and time management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Eagerness to learn, take ownership and grow within the role.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a proactive approach to identifying efficiencies.

Minimum Requirements

Essential

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting or a similar related field.
• Minimum 2-4 years' experience in an accounting role (Accountant, Financial Accountant, or completed articles).
• Good working knowledge of South African tax (VAT, provisional tax and corporate income tax), with practical experience.
• Working knowledge of IFRS.
• Exposure to month-end reporting or management accounts.
• Balance sheet reconciliation experience.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience with ERP systems.

Advantageous

• Completed articles (SAICA or SAIPA).
• Experience assisting with annual financial statements and external audits.
• Professional or postgraduate qualification in Accounting or Taxation (CIMA, SAIT or similar).
• Experience with multi-entity and multi-currency reporting, including intercompany reconciliations.
• Exposure to transfer pricing or international tax.
• Experience within a distribution, importing, manufacturing, FMCG or retail environment.
• Experience using SQL, Power BI or similar reporting tools.
• Exposure to AI tools or finance automation technologies.